FAQ: How Long After Treatment Until Veins Disappear?

The top of a woman's face with question marks above her.

One of the most common questions we hear from potential spider or varicose vein patients is, “How long after treatment until my problem veins are gone?” This is an extremely tough question because everyone’s body reacts differently to treatment. A few different factors can affect the timetable. For example, the type of vein issue present, the severity of the vein disorder, and your current health status will all play a factor in your recovery time. Below we have put together an average timeline that we have seen among a majority of our patients in the past. 

Sayōnara, Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is one of the most common spider vein treatments and it involves the injection of a solution (generally a detergent solution) directly into the vein. This injection irritates the lining of the blood vessel which causes it to collapse and stick together. Studies prove that roughly 30-40% of the injected veins will be eliminated after each session. Like mentioned before, different bodies react differently to treatment. This same study shows that less than 10% of the people who have sclerotherapy had their veins not respond to the injections at all.

Although this procedure works for most patients, it is not a guarantee. In our experience, we have found out that the typical spider vein patient will require 3-5 treatments in order to clear up 95% of the problem veins. This kind of treatment will eliminate the chances of these veins reappearing. Keep in mind, new veins may reappear.

Vanishing Varicose Veins

Dr. Barbieri examining a patients varicose veins.Varicose veins are usually bigger problems than spider veins. Hence, they require more extensive treatments and will take even longer to heal. There are three ways to treat varicose veins and each has its pros and cons. 

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy, described above for spider veins, can also be used to treat varicose veins. It is a good, non-surgical procedure which is used on varicose veins when an ablation cannot be utilized. We can use ultrasound guidance to aid in visualization of varicose veins for a more accurate injection placement.

Endovenous Ablation Results Take Several Weeks

Radio Frequency Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment which involves heating the vein wall using temperature controlled energy generated by radio frequency. This heat shrinks and seals the problem vein. Once the vein is closed, blood is naturally rerouted to healthy veins. The now-closed vein is considered waste and the body absorbs it over time. Most people experience relief from their symptoms in about a week. Some specific cases may require additional treatment for certain veins.

Phlebectomy Offers the Fastest Results

Phlebectomy is also another minimally invasive treatment to take care of surface varicose veins. During this treatment, small punctures are made in the skin so the vein can be removed. The nice thing about phlebectomy is how quickly you see results. As this is performed, the affected veins are successfully removed and the results are immediate. The small punctures made during the treatment will require minimal downtime. Wearing a leg compression stocking and resting your leg will most likely be the recommendation as well as giving your leg sometime to rest. Make sure to wear this stocking for several weeks following your treatment. 

Related Read: Vein Treatment Without the Medical Jargon – What to Expect

If you or a family member is experiencing spider veins or varicose veins, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an expert who can recommend the right treatment for you. We approach every scenario differently because we know everybody reacts differently to treatment. Schedule an appointment today!